Google to broker ads for cable TV channels

JohnLetzing

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Google Inc. will expand the reach of its television advertising service by brokering some ads on cable networks owned by General Electric Co.'s
GE, +1.35%
NBC Universal, the companies said Monday.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Google
GOOG, +0.48%
said in a prepared statement that its TV Ads platform will begin selling inventory for channels including Oxygen, CNBC, Sci Fi, Sleuth and Chiller "in the coming months, with potential to expand onto other NBCU properties in the future."

In addition, the companies said they are working to adapt Google's platform for use in local TV markets, by offering a "self-service" system to clients who may not be able to afford advertising on a broader scale.

Google currently sells some advertising inventory for Dish Network Corp.
DISH, +0.00%
and provides technology used in Dish set-top boxes to track viewer interest in advertising.

Companies such as Google attempting to automate the process of selling TV advertisements face significant obstacles, however. See related story.

Cable giants including Comcast Corp.
CMCSA, -0.72%
and Time Warner Cable
TWC, +0.08%
also plan to release their own online system for placing and tracking television advertisements some time in the next few years.

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